Ajmal excited by Hampshire stint

Pakistan spin ace Saeed Ajmal is hoping to play his part in helping Hampshire gain promotion to the County Championship first division next summer.

The 35-year-old will join Hants for August and September, with Australia batsman George Bailey expected to be away on international duty late on in the season.

I have always enjoyed playing in England and look forward to playing my part in helping Hampshire get promoted.

Saeed Ajmal

Ajmal, who has previously played for Worcestershire, told the county's official website: "I am very pleased to be joining Hampshire to play in the County Championship.

"I have always enjoyed playing in England and look forward to playing my part in helping Hampshire get promoted."

Hampshire cricket manager Giles White added: "He is one of the best bowlers in the world in all forms of the game and will add real quality to the squad at the business end of the season."

Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire have told their contracted players that they cannot head to the lucrative IPL and must instead be ready for the start of the domestic campaign.

That means disappointment for the likes of Alex Hales, Michael Lumb and Samit Patel, with director of cricket Mick Newell saying in a club statement: "We were very clear that we expected all of our players to be available to us.

"The players asked me to consider releasing them to enable them to take part in the IPL, but they are key members of the squad and I explained that we wouldn't be able to allow them to take part."

Notts are 1213.00 to win the first division of the County Championship in 2013, with defending champions Warwickshire 1213.00 and Yorkshire 2.87.

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